Writing a Custom End Poem or Credits File — A Quick Guide

Understanding the End Poem and Credits System

Minecraft’s end poem and credits provide a unique narrative conclusion to the game, a tradition that players can personalize to fit their own server’s lore, modpack, or creative vision. These integral parts of the game are stored in specific text files within its assets, offering a pathway for customization. For players of the Java Edition, the main end poem is found in assets/minecraft/texts/end.txt. The comprehensive main credits are located in assets/minecraft/texts/credits.json, and a final post-credits quote resides in assets/minecraft/texts/postcredits.txt. Bedrock Edition players will find these files in a slightly different structure: data/credits/end.txt, data/credits/credits.json, and data/credits/quote.txt respectively.

Customizing these files allows for a deeply personal touch, whether you’re writing a new narrative or simply adding contributors. The system supports various text formatting options, including vibrant color codes that can be applied using the special `§` symbol. Furthermore, the game can dynamically display the player’s name within the text by inserting the placeholder “PLAYERNAME”. It’s also worth noting a unique characteristic of the original end poem: it features intentionally glitched or scrambled text sections, which are part of its distinctive aesthetic.

While direct modification of these core game files is possible, the most recommended and efficient method for customization involves utilizing resource packs. Resource packs provide a safe, organized, and easily shareable way to implement your custom end poem and credits without altering the game’s original files, thus preventing potential issues with game stability or updates.

Step-by-Step Guide: Direct File Modification (Java Edition Example)

For those who wish to directly modify the game files, particularly for testing or understanding the underlying structure, here is a detailed process for Java Edition. Please note that this method carries inherent risks, as discussed in the “Common Mistakes to Avoid” section. It’s generally safer to use resource packs for long-term solutions.

1. Locate Your Minecraft Instance Folder: The first step is to find where your Minecraft game files are stored. This location varies based on your operating system and launcher, but it’s typically found in a directory like %appdata%\.minecraft on Windows, ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft on macOS, or ~/.minecraft on Linux.
2. Navigate to the Versions Folder: Inside your Minecraft instance folder, locate the versions folder. This folder contains subfolders for each Minecraft version you have installed.
3. Enter the Specific Version Folder: Choose the specific version of Minecraft for which you want to customize the end poem or credits. For example, if you’re modifying for version 1.20.1, you would enter the 1.20.1 folder.
4. Rename the .jar File to .zip: Within the chosen version folder, you’ll find two main files: a .jar file (e.g., 1.20.1.jar) and a .json file (e.g., 1.20.1.json). The .jar file is essentially a Java archive that contains the game’s assets. To access its contents, you need to rename it by changing its file extension from .jar to .zip (e.g., 1.20.1.zip). You may receive a warning about changing the file extension; confirm this action.
5. Open the .zip Archive: Once renamed, you can open this newly created .zip file using any standard archive utility (like WinRAR, 7-Zip, or your operating system’s built-in zip opener). This will allow you to browse its internal directory structure.
6. Browse to the Texts Folder: Inside the opened .zip archive, navigate through the following path: assets/minecraft/texts. This is where the crucial text files for the end poem and credits are located.
7. Open and Edit the Desired File:
   • For the main end poem, open end.txt.
   • For the main credits, open credits.json.
   • For the post-credits quote, open postcredits.txt.

   Use a plain text editor (like Notepad, Notepad++, VS Code, Sublime Text, etc.) to make your modifications. For credits.json, ensure you maintain valid JSON syntax if you are adding new entries or modifying existing ones. Remember that color codes use the `§` symbol, and “PLAYERNAME” will be replaced by the player’s in-game name.

8. Save Your Changes Within the .zip File: After making your edits, save the file. Most archive utilities will prompt you to update the archive with the modified file. Confirm this action to ensure your changes are saved directly into the .zip.
9. Rename the .zip File Back to .jar: Finally, revert the file extension of your archive from .zip back to .jar (e.g., 1.20.1.jar). This restores the file to its original executable format, allowing Minecraft to recognize and load it.

Utilizing Resource Packs: The Recommended Approach

While direct modification offers a hands-on understanding, the most robust and user-friendly method for managing custom end poems and credits is through resource packs. This approach allows for easy installation, removal, and sharing of your custom content without interfering with the core game files. A resource pack effectively overlays your custom files over the game’s default ones. To create one, you would replicate the folder structure (e.g., assets/minecraft/texts/end.txt) within your resource pack folder, placing your modified files there. When the resource pack is enabled in-game, your custom text files will be used instead of the default ones.

Formatting and Special Features

When crafting your custom text, you have several formatting options available:

• Color Codes: Minecraft supports a wide range of color and formatting codes using the `§` symbol, followed by a specific character (e.g., `§c` for red, `§l` for bold). For a comprehensive list of these codes and their effects, it is highly recommended to refer to the Minecraft Wiki. Understanding these codes is crucial for creating visually appealing and structured text.
• Player Name Insertion: To dynamically display the name of the player who completed the game, simply insert the placeholder “PLAYERNAME” into your text files. The game engine will automatically replace this string with the actual player’s username.
• Original Scrambled Text: Be aware that the original end poem features intentionally glitched or scrambled text sections. These sections are often hardcoded or dynamically generated based on character counts rather than containing plain, readable text directly within `end.txt`. Attempting to decipher or directly edit these specific parts in `end.txt` is generally fruitless, as they don’t function like standard editable text.

Testing Your Customizations

Testing your custom end poem or credits can be streamlined with certain tools. A client-side mod like “Custom Credits” can be incredibly useful for developers and creators. Such mods often include commands, such as `/credits show`, which allows you to instantly view your modifications in-game without needing to restart Minecraft or re-trigger the end game sequence. This significantly accelerates the iteration process, letting you fine-tune your text and formatting efficiently.

Important Tips for Customization

• Prioritize Resource Packs: Always default to utilizing resource packs for managing your custom end poems and credits. This method is superior for several reasons: it allows for easier installation and removal, simplifies sharing your creations with others, and most importantly, it prevents direct alteration of the core game files, safeguarding against potential corruption or being overwritten by game updates.
• Consult the Minecraft Wiki: For any detailed information regarding color codes, formatting options, or specific game mechanics related to text display, the Minecraft Wiki is an invaluable resource. It provides up-to-date and comprehensive lists of all available `§` symbol codes.
• Consider Appending to Credits.json: Especially if you are developing content for a modpack or a community project, consider appending your custom entries to the existing credits in `credits.json` rather than entirely replacing them. This approach allows you to add your team’s names, special thanks, or mod-specific credits while retaining the original game’s credit information, fostering a more inclusive and complete experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When customizing your end poem or credits, being aware of common pitfalls can save you significant frustration:

• Directly Modifying .jar Files Without Backup: A critical mistake is directly editing game `.jar` files without first creating a backup. This can lead to game instability, corrupted files, or prevent the game from launching. Furthermore, any direct modifications to the `.jar` file are highly susceptible to being overwritten and lost during game updates, forcing you to redo your work. Resource packs circumvent this issue entirely.
• Incorrect Color Code Usage: Misplacing or incorrectly formatting color codes or other special characters (e.g., using a space instead of the `§` symbol, or using an invalid character after `§`) can lead to parsing errors. This often results in broken text display, where the codes themselves appear in-game, or the text fails to render correctly. Always double-check your syntax.
• Attempting to Edit Scrambled Text: As mentioned, the original end poem contains intentionally scrambled text. Trying to “fix” or directly edit these sections in `end.txt` is a common misconception. These parts are designed to be incomprehensible and are often generated dynamically or hardcoded, meaning they won’t appear as plain, editable text within the file. Focus on editing the clear, readable sections of the poem instead.